ATTORNEY REFERRAL PROGRAM personal legal services for KNEA members Dear KNEA Member, On behalf of the National Education Association and Kansas NEA, let.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "ATTORNEY REFERRAL PROGRAM personal legal services for KNEA members Dear KNEA Member, On behalf of the National Education Association and Kansas NEA, let."— Presentation transcript:

1
ATTORNEY REFERRAL PROGRAM personal legal services for KNEA members Dear KNEA Member, On behalf of the National Education Association and Kansas NEA, let me introduce you to a very valuable benefit of your NEA/KNEA membership. The NEA’s Attorney Referral Program provides legal representation and advice for personal legal matters in five areas at competitive, affordable rates. Coupled with the legal protections KNEA members are afforded for employment-related matters, your membership provides you with an array of services designed to protect you both in your professional and personal life. Please take the time to read this brochure so you fully understand the program. Once you have selected an attorney from the area listing, please identify yourself as a KNEA member (be ready to produce a membership card if required) so you will be sure to receive the free consultations and/or discounted rate. Please note that each eligible member is entitled to two 30-minute consultation sessions at no charge during each membership year on any topic, except income tax preparation. However, only legal work in the five core areas is subject to the 30% discount on the attorneys’ hourly rates. DO NOT BE TIMID ABOUT DISCUSSING FEES AND COSTS OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION. ALL FINANCIAL MATTERS SHOULD BE IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY BOTH YOU AND YOUR ATTORNEY. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or the KNEA Eastern Regional Office. Sincerely, David Schauner, General Counsel, KNEA The NEA Attorney Referral Program For over 150 years, NEA members have come to rely on their Association for support and service in a wide variety of areas. That commitment to service continues today. NEA’s Attorney Referral Program provides members with legal advice on personal matters. Each eligible member is entitled to two 30-minute consultation sessions free during each membership year. And if you need additional legal help, NEA’s Attorney Referral Program lets you get that help at rates below participating attorneys’ usual fees. Clear Evidence – NEA Delivers for Members NEA has for many years provided members full legal protection in employment-related matters. But in today’s complex world, simply having legal help for employment-related matters isn’t enough. At one time or another, each of us needs legal counsel on personal matters that are important to us and our families. Who Can Participate NEA’s Attorney Referral Program is open to any active, life, support, or retired members, and the member’s spouse and dependent children. NEA 1201 16 th St., NW Washington, D.C. 20036 202.833.4000 FAX 202.822.7974 www.nea.org Kansas NEA 715 W. 10 th Topeka, KS 66612 785.232.8271 1.800.432.3573 FAX 785.232.6012 www.knea.org www.knea.org KNEA Eastern Regional Office 11015 W. 75 th Terrace Shawnee, KS 66214 913.268.4005 1.800.371.1007 FAX 913.268.1332

2
What the Program Provides Your national and state associations have identified attorneys throughout the state who have agreed to handle certain personal matters at a substantially reduced rate. During any membership year (from September 1 to August 31), eligible members are entitled to two, free 30-minute consultation sessions with any of these association-approved attorneys. During the two free sessions, you may discuss any legal matter except income tax preparation. In addition to these free consultations, members may have specific legal work performed in five “core” areas at a 30 percent reduction of that attorney’s normal fee. NEA is committed to making sure that qualified and competent attorneys participate in the NEA Attorney Referral Program. Before any attorneys can become a part of the program, they must be approved by both the NEA and your state association. They must agree to provide service to members at times that are convenient to members – times outside the normal working day. Participating attorneys must agree to discuss fees before they render services. And they must be willing to accept payment of their fees by some installment payment plan. In some cases, that may even include credit cards. The NEA Attorney Referral Program – designed to deliver for NEA members. The “Core” Areas WILLS AND ESTATES At a 30 percent discount rate, you can have a participating attorney prepare your will, assist with estate planning, provide legal assistance if you are named the executor or administrator of an estate, or offer legal counsel in guardianship proceedings. REAL ESTATE Participating attorneys will provide discounted assistance with the purchase or sale of residential property, disputes with landlords, property line controversies, and problems with zoning laws or land use regulations. DOMESTIC RELATIONS Representation in proceedings for annulment, divorce, separation, alimony, custody, child support, guardianship, adoption, paternity, and name changes – are all covered under the discounted rate. CONSUMER PROTECTION Participating attorneys will provide assistance at the discounted fee for disputes with creditors or finance agencies and proceedings with retailers concerning defective merchandise. TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS You can receive legal representation, at the NEA Attorney Referral Program discounted rate, to handle charges of operating under the influence, reckless driving, or other offenses involving the potential loss of license, a jail sentence, and financial liability in excess of $50. And, remember, if you are an eligible NEA member, your spouse and dependent children may also receive the NEA Attorney Referral Program discount rates from participating attorneys upon your request. What Isn’t Covered While NEA and your state association provide additional programs to help with job-related legal problems, the NEA Attorney Referral Program covers almost every type of personal legal problem you might face. There are, however, a few areas where participating attorneys are not required to give members the 30 percent discount. Problems such as business dealings, bankruptcies, and preparation of a defense in Internal Revenue Service income tax matters are not covered under the 30 percent discount. The 30 percent discount also does not apply to the defense of criminal violations, other than traffic violations, in which financial liability exceeds $50. Participating attorneys are not permitted to represent a member in any matter in which the adverse party is the NEA, an NEA affiliate, or another NEA member – except in separation or divorce proceedings. And, of course, court costs, filing and service fees, and attorney out-of-pocket expenses are not automatically covered. It’s also important to note that if you obtain your own attorney, you don’t receive the discount rate, even if that attorney later becomes a participant in the NEA Attorney Referral Program. How You Can Take Advantage Of This Member Service Program The names, addresses and telephone numbers of the NEA-approved law firms participating in the program in your area are listed in this brochure. You may contact the attorney directly – identifying yourself as an NEA member participating in the NEA Attorney Referral Program. You can also contact your state association or local UniServ office for more information. Remember, discuss the fees you will be charged before the session begins with the attorney. You may contact any attorney on the list for your free consultation* and to investigate your need for additional services. For further information about the NEA/KNEA Attorney Referral Program, contact David Schauner, 785.232.8271, or your local UniServ office. * The free consultation benefit allows you to discuss your problem with an attorney to determine whether you need additional legal services. Do not expect the attorney to draft or review documents during a consultation. If you ask the attorney to provide additional services, such as preparing a will, you will be billed at discounted program rates. The NEA Attorney Referral Program PARTICIPATING ATTORNEYS IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA Mark Jeffers, Esq. 8000 Foster Overland Park, KS 66204 913.385.5297 Payne and Jones 11000 King PO Box 25625 Overland Park, KS 66225 913.469.4100 Martin, Leigh, Laws, & Fritzlen 400 Peck’s Plaza, 1044 Main Kansas City, Mo 64105-2135 816.221.1430 Ford & Cooper, P.C. 110 NW Barry Road, Suite 201 Kansas City, MO 64155 816.436.9550 Roher, Wickham & Wood 4240 Blue Ridge Blvd., Suite 350 Kansas City, MO 64133 816.753.8751